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An interesting and helpful look at the mentoring process. I'm not Ele - so it won't look exactly the same but I appreciated the thoughtful chapters on how and what is important to pass on to younger women.

As a woman who is currently growing with a mentor and as a woman growing into the role of mentor, I was able to pull pieces appropriate to my life and apply them. This book is one that can not be put down and I found it captivating and a smooth read! The real-life experiences of the author's personal journey, show her transparency, growth and honesty and the real-life examples of women "living life" help to build a picture of what a healthy mentor/mentee relationship is. Whether you are a follower of Jesus, someone seeking more information or simply a woman going through life, you will benefit from taking time to read this book! Thank you, Ele, for sharing your heart, life and most importantly, TRUTH, from which we can all base our daily lives on.

Wow. With all the trendy stuff out there on mentoring, coaching and counseling--it's easy to be confused and do nothing. Ele Parrott has a simple--but profound--question she asks women who come to her for help or mentoring. "Do you want a quick fix, or do you desire to be transformed by Jesus?"

If the women on your team (and in your church) are tired of activity-driven programs, fill-in-the-blanks "Bible" studies and "8 Steps & 8 Weeks for Becoming a Spiritual Giant," you'll like this book. Actually...you'll have a personal gut check first. Then you'll buy copies for friends. Serious-minded friends. It's written for women--but it touched me.

The author's transparency sets the tone. After her missionary husband, Don, got his dream job volunteer assignment (the pastor's inner circle) at their home church in Argentina, Ele proudly presented her substantial ministry credentials to the pastor. His response, "Los banos de la iglesia estan sucios." Translation: "The church bathrooms are dirty." That's where she started--scrubbing toilets for Jesus in South America. And that's when she seriously listened to God and her mentoring journey began.

Her definition of mentoring will stop you in your tracks. "Spiritual mentoring is coming alongside of and partnering with who the Holy Spirit is being in the life of another person and infusing truth into that person's reality." Read it again and think what "infusing truth" could look like if you have the heart and calling to be a mentor.

Ele Parrott shares God-honoring principles and memorable real-life mentoring stories. Our activity-driven programs that don't ignite transformation (we've all done them and led them) quickly pale when contrasted with the richness and potential of authentic spiritual mentoring.

This book is a keeper. It's wisdom layered upon wisdom. It's not a formula book on mentoring, yet it's very practical and highly motivating. The chapter on learning to be an active listener by not inserting my story into the conversation--and thus devaluing the mentee--was a big, big wake-up call for me.

Imagine what could happen in your church or Christian organization (and your own life) if you set the bar high and focused on spiritual transformation, not spiritual activity.

By the way, the author notes that Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Then she asks, "What are you full of?" She suggests you ask your family members and close friends to suggest two or three words that describe what you are full of!

Excellent ideas for mentoring (I especially like the fact that the program is based less on the formality of an organized ministry than it is on Spirit-led involvement). The author's examples of mentoring experiences came across as somewhat elitist to this reader, however. When presenting examples of "composite" mentees she has mentored, she largely excludes single women, motherless women, and low-income and culturally diverse populations of women. Her program, however (if one can get past the absence of mentees who don't fit into the white, married, Starbucks-drinking lifestyle) is excellent. It will work for women of all backgrounds and in all circumstances as long as the mentor is willing to fulfill her role and the mentee is willing to go through the hard work of knowing Jesus more intimately.

The author is open as to where she has been that gives you a good feeling as you read her account of how she reaches out to others.

Ele Parrott walks through the qualifications and steps for older women to spiritually mentor younger women. She shows how to mentor using Scripture with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is an easy yet deep read and would be great whether you are an older woman or younger woman.

Very well written and insightful.

Each time I re-read this book it is as if I am being mentored by Ele. Some books communicate information and concepts. Ele's book communicates heart and passion along with the delightful experience of feeling like you are sitting at a table, drinking coffee and being mentored by a godly woman. Thank you Ele for the gift you have given of yourself, your heart, your experiences and you wisdom!